Bismarck State College received recognition from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) at its international conference in November in San Diego.

The college earned CAEL's 2010 Institutional Service Award for expansion of lifelong learning opportunities and innovation to improve access and quality of academic programs for adult learners. Larry C. Skogen, BSC president, accepted the award on behalf of BSC.

Accomplishments cited included BSC's development of education and training for the energy industry, online courses with interactive simulations to enhance learning, and development of the online bachelor's degree in energy management.

Other accomplishments noted were BSC's non-credit workforce training programs as part of Train ND and partnerships with other colleges for adults earning four-year degrees on the BSC campus.

BSC's affiliation with the CAEL-administered Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) also helped expand BSC's adult programs. Both BSC and EPCE shared the vision to find new ways to serve adult learners while serving needs of industry. BSC brought the coalition 24 years experience in energy education. The EPCE network gave BSC opportunity to expand into Electric Power and Nuclear Power markets and to provide curriculum to a national pool of energy industry employees.

CAEL is a nonprofit international organization whose services provide solutions for business, higher education and community and workforce development.